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Abstract
Background This was the first scoping review on lupus pregnancies from sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Africa Journals Online as well as reference lists of retrieved articles, to select relevant studies published in the period 01/01/2000–28/10/2019. Data were combined through narrative synthesis.
Results Of 2693 papers, we included 4 studies retrospectively reporting 137 pregnancies in 102 women over a 26-year period.The mean age at conception ranged from 27.2 to 39.9 years. Kidney disease (43 [42.2%] patients) was the predominant organ manifestation before conception. Ninetey-seven pregnancies resultesd in 98 live births. SLE flares occurred in 44 (32.2%) pregancies, mainly skin (20.4%) and renal flares. Major adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) were preterm birth 38.8%, low birth weight 29.8%, pregnancy loss 29.2% and pre-eclampsia 24.8%. The main factors associated with APOs were lupus nephritis and SLE flares.
Conclusions Over two thirds of lupus pregnancies resulted in live birth in sub-Saharan Africa. The main APOs described elsewhere are also seen in sub-Saharan Africa, with high rates. High-quality research is urgently needed.
Acknowledgements None
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